Yet More New Titles Enter the BitTorrent Fray in Oregon District Court (UPDATED 2/1/17)

Two film production companies have filed novel BitTorrent copyright infringement suits in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, continuing the status of the Oregon District as a testing ground for new film titles in BitTorrent litigation.

One group of cases were filed by Cook Productions, LLC, which holds copyrights in the recently released Eddie Murphy period drama, Mr. Church. The film was awarded one star in a RogerEbert.com review, and panned by other critics as reflected in a 15% Rotten Tomatoes score, while audience reviews seemed to be more favorable.

The Cook Productions complaints allege that Cook “is an affiliate of Cinelou Films, a production company with a notable catalog of major motion pictures.” According to Troll Defense research, these Oregon Mr. Church suits are the first foray by Cinelou Films into “troll-style” copyright litigation.

Other suits were brought in the name of I.T. Productions, LLC which holds rights in the 2016 film, I.T., a “techno-thriller” starring Pierce Brosnan as a technphobic aviation tycoon troubled by technical problems affecting his launch of a new aircraft rental app. I.T. Productions is an affiliate of Voltage Pictures, LLC, the instigator of countless other BitTorrent lawsuits involving film titles such as Dallas Buyers Club, Good Kill, The Cobbler, Fathers & Daugthers, Pay the Ghost, and TheHurt Locker.

The new lawsuits in Oregon allege copyright infringement by “Doe” parties through their use of BitTorrent file-sharing software. Along with generic allegations of BitTorrent-based copyright infringement, the suits seek statutory damages pursuant to the Copyright Act, attorney’s fees and costs, and an injunction against further infringement.

Many of the complaints make passing reference to the alleged infringement additional film titles, although the rights-holders associated with such titles are not plaintiffs in the actions; one exemplary allegation states:

In addition to Plaintiff’s motion picture, the defendant has been observed associated with the bittorrent trafficking of thousands of other copyrighted titles and confirmed to be distributing the motion pictures Standoff (2016), London Has Fallen (2016), Cell (2016), Criminal (2016), and Mechanic: Resurrection (2016), and others.

As has been previously reported by Troll Defense (and linked above), these additional titles are the subject of prior and ongoing (or future) actions pending in the same court. Defendants confronting the new Cook and I.T. cases should prepare for settlement demands based on these additional titles as well.

Like many other similar lawsuits filed in the District of Oregon, these cases were filed by Salem, OR attorney Carl D. Crowell and Crowell Law. A case listing with links to the complaints is below.

Troll Defense

About

Benjamin Justus is one of the few attorneys in the nation who has for years represented individuals, families and businesses that have been sued or threatened with suit for alleged internet-based copyright infringement by various owners of intellectual property in films, music, photographs and other works. He has assisted hundreds of parties who have been involved in such claims. His practice is expanding to include other aspects of liability arising from internet activities, including trademark infringement, defamation, and circumvention of protective technologies.